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His Life and Times

Over a century ago, in mid-August 1890, one of the largest funerals in the history of Waterbury, Conn., took place. The throngs who attended were grieving the death, at age 38, of Father Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus.

The bishop of Hartford and more than 70 of Connecticut's Catholic priests were joined by many civic leaders. It was reported that  mourners rented every available carriage within miles for the great procession.

Father McGivney's funeral was an indication of the love and respect the people felt for this hard-working, holy, parish priest. It also reflected the deep personal appeal that immigrant Catholics immediately found in the Knights of Columbus. Delegations were present from almost every one of the 57 Knights of Columbus councils that had been chartered in the Order's first eight years.

To mark their 100th anniversary in 1982, the Knights of Columbus brought the remains of Father McGivney from Waterbury back to St. Mary's Church in New Haven, where he founded the Order. There he now rests in a setting in which daily Mass is offered for deceased Knights and prayers are said in his honor.